Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Is marriage an outdated institution, like Daan thinks? Does Jacob agree with him? Why or why not?
- Jacob starts out hating Amsterdam, and by the end loves it and can't wait to return. Why does he change his mind about the city so quickly? How is his response to Amsterdam caught up in his personal experiences?
- Whose story is the novel—Jacob's or Geertrui's? How do we feel about each character? Who do we know better?
- Should Geertrui be allowed to end her life? Why or why not? What makes it okay in her situation, according to Daan?
- Jacob is in love with Anne Frank, and Daan can't live without Rembrandt. Why is art important to them? How does it make them feel or act? Have you ever felt that way about a book, movie, or painting?
- Does Jacob tell his grandma the truth about his grandfather? Does she already know the truth?